**6. Conclusions**

From the initial studies of the device it is evident that not only does the X-CHIP have the potential to increase efficiency and offer on-the-chip *in situ* data collection for *de nevo* structure determination, but it also has a range of additional benefits including the opportunity for full automation. Even though the recent growth of microchip crystallization technology has seen the development of several useful devices, the X-CHIP platform offers previously unprecedented simplicity with comparable or in some cases even better performance. As seen in the recent growth of commercially available and published microchip crystallization devices, there is continuing interest in improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the diffraction pipeline. With its intuitive design, minimalistic support platform and compatibility with most existing beamline setups, the X-CHIP platform offers a new integrated tool for protein crystallization and X-ray diffraction data collection.
